All girls' school students more interested in construction careers

New research has found that most females who are offered enrolment in construction degrees have been to all-girls high schools.

The research also found when school girls think about the construction industry, many think of lollipop traffic controller signs and brick laying, despite the industry offering careers in engineering, surveying, architecture and design.

Elizabeth Lau works in the construction industry for building company Lendlease.Credit:Louise Kennerley

The research from the University of Technology (UTS) for the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) to be released on Thursday found students from both all-girls government and non-government schools were more likely to be offered enrolment in Construction Project Management university degrees.

UTS senior research fellow Phillippa Carnemolla's study on girls' perceptions of the construction industry found some were concerned that girls on construction sites held lollipop signs to control traffic. They also thought there were not many females working at a high level.

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Elizabeth Lau, 21, who works as a design engineer for construction company Lendlease in Sydney is in her fourth year of a bachelor of construction project management at UTS.

She found out about the course when she did work experience with an architect when she was in year 11 at Mercy Catholic College, an all-girls school in Chatswood.

Her job involves a range of skills and tasks including design, meeting building compliance standards and consulting with builders.

"I like having a finished project and having something tangible which I can put my name to and say I was involved in that team and that process. It is quite humbling and very fulfilling and keeps driving me to pursue this career," Ms Lau said.

"There has been a push in our industry to reach out to all-girls high schools and promote STEM."

Dr Carnemolla analysed 1264 main round offers to students for the bachelor of construction project management degree at UTS between 2010 and 2018. More than half of school leavers who entered the course had come from all-girl high schools.

Statewide, nine per cent of all female students go to all-girls schools.

"The research indicates that the construction industry needs to reposition itself as a career for both women and men," Dr Carnemolla said.

NSW surveyor general Narelle Underwood, 35, is the first female in that position and entered surveying after studying engineering.

"I love that every day can be different," she said. "Whether you like working indoors, outdoors, above ground or under ground, there are career opportunities."

Michaela Lawrence is a year 11 student at Dungog High School and hopes to be a surveyor.Credit:James Brickwood

Michaela Lawrence, 16, a year 11 student at Dungog High School, became interested in surveying after doing work experience in the field in Maitland last year. She is studying physics, geography and extension maths. She is interested in studying surveying at Newcastle University.

"I enjoy maths and I like construction and planning things," she said.

She was among 60 female high school students taking part in surveying activities organised by the NSW Surveying Taskforce in Sydney's Hyde Park on Wednesday to promote a greater interest in STEM.